Tag Archives: Technology

If you’re familiar with the ‘intellectual dark web’, chances are that you’ve heard the name Eric Weinstein before – in fact, he’s responsible for coining the phrase. A regular guest on The Rubin Report– a popular podcast talk show, tackling taboo subjects – Weinstein often voices his opinions and predictions around American politics and the country’s economy. Both an academic and business leader, his calculated take on the present and possible future leaves us with much to ponder on, irrespective of our socio-economic background.

Why Weinstein’s Relevant

Why
should we take his views seriously? Firstly, he’s a mathematician. Secondly,
he’s an economist. And thirdly, he’s the MD of a very successful investment
firm, Thiel Capital. So one could say that he’s got a knack for numbers and
predictions. Aside from sharing his views during interviews and public speaking
engagements, he’s also an avid writer, covering topics ranging from
investments, immigration, elite labour, science, mathematics and of course,
capitalism.

Technology and Capitalism

Weinstein believes that capitalism, as we’ve come to know it, is coming to an end. He highlights that we’ve grown up in an era where you could train briefly in your youth to require a skill, with minor add-ons along the way that would lead to a life-long career. However, this system now seems to be breaking, mostly due to the rapid evolution of technology. Since the Industrial Revolution, technology has been a great help to push repetitive behaviours of higher value activities. But today, computer technology threatens to replace all human activity based on cyclic behaviours or routinised actions – a huge part of what today’s workforce is responsible for. Where economy is based on one-off opportunities, we as humans still have the advantage over technology. Engineers and creatives fall into this category as their primary task is to do something not done before. That said, it still leaves us with a problem, as the current educational system is mostly geared towards creating employable individuals, responsible for performing routine functions and not singular activities required in our future economy.

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Source: Pixabay

Capitalism and Socialism

Another
topic Weinstein has strong views about, circles around capitalism requiring
socialist principles to save it. He believes that middle management types have
taken the place in leadership positions, working their way to the top by means
of charm and not necessarily smarts. Instead, technical talent needs to be
valued and utilised more to build a more optimistic future. He argues that
China is a prime example of where this mindset, last seen in America in the
mid-20th century, is catapulting them ahead of the rest of the
world. Weinstein believes that capitalism should become less confined to give
the so-called minority of minds, who have the talent to create, enough
opportunity to innovate and invent the wonders that our future economy will be
built upon. He echoes the sentiment that the increasing separation of the
super-rich from everyone else and the resulting effect of them becoming largely
insensitive to their concerns, is one of the greatest dangers we’re facing today.

Other Economic Views

A
problem, Weinstein believes, the whole world seems to be facing in a steady
state, is an embedded growth hypotheses, which simply cannot be sustained.
Instead of lying to employees, owners need to own up, or introduce a new
business model, rather than creating smoke and mirrors. Furthermore, he’s
justifiably concerned about the recoil of income inequality, differential
access to technology and financial markets, and how it’s posing a threat to the
post WW2 economic stability. He reiterates that when the economy starts to
fail, individuals become ever more aware of things that pose a danger to their
livelihood, and likely act on it. He believes the magical thinking that the
world is stable, but that we should be aware that it could turn on a dime.

While some might view this as a pessimistic outlook, others could argue that he’s simply being a realist – after all, his deductions and predictions are based on hard facts.

Science has a funny way of coming around
and messing with our heads every once in a while. This is one of those whiles,
because I’ve just read that stuff that gets sucked into black holes doesn’t
stay there forever.

It felt a bit like that time we had all that ruckus about Pluto. Pluto was a planet, and then scientists upset a whole lot of people by saying it wasn’t. There was such an outcry, the scientists then said it was a sort-of planet, and blamed the error on a dodgy calculator or something.

When I was a kid, anything sucked into a black hole was never seen again. As I got older, my classmates and I learned that black holes are where time and space warp, causing gravity so powerful, even light is sucked into it. Einstein’s theory of general relativity says the mass of many stars is crushed into a zero-size volume at the centre of the holes. Now, I’m being told I, along with almost everyone else, will have to rethink what I learned about them.

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Cosmic Recycling Plants?

Papers published in the Physical Review
Letters and the Physical Review D journals challenge the accepted theory about
the inner lives and workings of black holes. The research is based on a new
theory of gravity, which, the authors argue, is necessary when dealing with
very small sizes.

Louisiana State University’s Parampreet
Singh, and Pennsylvania State University’s Abhay Ashtekar and Javier Olmedo,
took the loop quantum gravity theory and applied it to a black hole-scenario.
According to their findings, still theoretical, of course, Einstein was wrong –
there is no singularity at the centre.

Instead, a strong space-time curve means it continues somewhere into the future, where it becomes a white hole, where all the stuff that got sucked in, light included, gets shot out. It can be tempting to think of it as a Star Trek-style worm-hole, but that’s not the case. Instead, one theory says the curve makes matter bounce, and the powerful gravitation field in black holes slows down time, which is why the process takes so long. Basically, if their maths is right, black holes across the universe are one day going to start vomiting up everything they ever swallowed.

Source: Pikabay

Possibly Explaining the Unexplained?

The new theory may even explain some
unexplained phenomena. Scientists have observed high amounts of radio energy
over short periods of time, known as radio bursts. They have also observed
high-energy cosmic rays that collide with the atmosphere of the earth.

Neither of those phenomena are fully understood, but, if the research papers are correct, both could be evidence of a black hole turning into a white one. Is it possible that the matter that will be shot out of white holes could be the seeds of new solar systems? Could those scientists be seeing the universe recycling itself?

A Closer Look?

One reason so many scientists are
unconvinced there is a singularity at the centre of black holes is because of
the theoretic infinite density of objects that have mass, but no size. The
theory sounds good, until you realise there are no such infinities in nature.

What nature does have, however, are
various circumstances. Newton’s law of gravity applies only to objects that are
far from our planet. The closer an object gets to earth, the more it weighs.
However, bring it too close, or take it to the centre of the earth, and things
change. The only way to understand those changes in behaviour is to use
equations more complex than Newton’s. They need to accommodate factors such as
the planet’s actual mass distribution.

The smaller objects get, the more differently gravity behaves, which is why quantum gravity theory was developed. If this is expanded into loop quantum gravity, space-time needs to be understood as evolving, latticed spin networks, which are mathematical ways of describing how things relate to one another. First Pluto, and now black holes. My religious aunt talks about prophecies of a new heaven and a new earth. I’m starting to wonder if she isn’t on to something.

Imagine climbing into your car, and the air-conditioning system automatically turns on. Next, the engine roars to life while the car begins its journey, driving you to your intended destination. What’s even better? You won’t have to lift a single finger. And thanks to the advancement of In-Car Voice Assistant technology, this could soon become a reality for new owners of contemporary BMW models, who will be able to experience it as soon as March, 2019.

In-Car Voice Assistance responds to voice commands from the driver. BMW In-Car Voice Assistance is activated by simply saying “Hey BMW.” You can also modify this to a personal “wake-word” like, “Hey Anna / John.” Users are able to control functionality aspects of the car with simple voice commands. You will also be able to access smartphones and smart speakers via this nifty tool.

The Benefits of Voice Assistance

One thing that is extremely valuable to 21st century folks is convenience. This is also one of the biggest benefits of Voice Assistant technology. In-Car Voice Assistance, in particular, allows you to use your smartphone while driving, without having to take your eyes off of the road, or even run the risk of breaking any laws. Whether you need to access your contact list, music apps, or even maps, you can simply touch a button on your steering wheel and voice what you would like to access, without touching your phone.

BMW’s In-Car Voice Assistance is like your personal assistant when driving. The intelligent technology gives drivers voice control over their vehicles, and allows them to check on their car’s overall health, and also alerts them to any potential issues with the vehicle. This feature also allows drivers to conduct simple conversations with their vehicles, which provides additional safety to the driver and their passengers.

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How This Invention Could Influence the Future of Driving

When motor vehicles were first invented, safety was not guaranteed, and numerous people lost their lives as a result of car accidents. Today, while the number of car fatalities are not nearly as high as its historic figure, we still have an average of more than 101 people losing their lives to car accidents every day, in the USA alone. BMW’s clever In-Car Voice Assistant feature will increase the safety aspect while driving, as the car will alert you if you are driving too close to another car, or when certain aspects of the vehicle are not in fully functioning condition, like when the tire pressure is too low, or when car services are due. This technology is so advanced, that it will be able to respond to a driver’s anxiety levels, and will attempt to adjust lighting or temperature to help regulate your mood. With so many contemporary features of this tool, individuals will soon want to spend more time in their cars and less time at their homes.

Other Inventions that Offer Voice Assistant features

Many consumers are using voice assistance to increase the convenience aspect when shopping, paying their bills or banking. Most of these personal assistant apps can be downloaded onto your smartphone device, while some devices come standard with virtual assistants like Siri for Apple Devices, Cortana or Google Assistant. Amazon also offers an assistant called Alexa – this voice-controlled assistant gives you access to intelligent features at home, like controlling light switches, TV functionality and thermostats. Other popular assistant apps include, Bixby, Dragon Mobile Assistant, Extreme Personal Voice Assistant, DataBot Personal Assistant and AIVC commonly known as Alice.

Final Thoughts

Personal Voice Assistants have become extremely prominent in recent years, and tend to make life a tad bit easier, especially for busy individuals trying to stay ahead of their active schedules. With so many benefits of personal voice assistants, missing vital car services will soon become a thing of the past!

Have you ever been frothing at the mouth and pulling at your hair, trying to get one of the apps on your phone to do what you want? Ever say to yourself that if it were you who had designed it, you would have changed it in very specific ways, making it infinitely better? Well, it turns out that you no longer have to simply accept substandard apps and make do, since it is easier than ever before to create your own.

What’s that you say? You don’t have a degree in software coding, and aren’t willing to put in the time to get a degree? Fear not, you don’t need any qualifications. Virtually anyone can now create their own functional application, without much more than a bit of time and dedication. If this has caught your interest, read on to learn just how easy it is.

What Can I Make?

Before you get too excited, it should be pointed out that the programs created using these digital tools are somewhat limited. It’s best not to go in expecting to quickly and easily whip up your own version of Candy Crush, Snapseed, Snapchat or Roulette. Instead, keep your ideas a little more modest, and see how far your creativity and innovation takes you.

For example, think instead of a simple app that will work as a condensed version of an existing website you may already have. It is possible to link directly to a website, and likewise provide mobile device based purchasing options. You can also create links that automatically update, instantly feeding in new blog entries or other content.

With this in mind, you can quickly and easily make a functional app that could be used to sell products, make all sorts of online bookings, or perhaps serve as a convenient news and information outlet for your business.

Free And Paid Creation Software

There are a number of great digital tool sets that can be used, many of which are even free of charge. One of the most popular is AppyPie, which has the less than shrewd slogan ‘make an app, easy as pie.’ But putting the cheesy slogan aside, AppyPie is indeed one of the best options currently available. You simply have to specify what you are trying to create, or at least select something close to it, after which a design will be given to you. Then all that is required is to adjust the existing design to meet your idea.

Most interesting of all is that AppyPie can be used for free. Of course, if using it for free, advertising will be inserted into the application, which somewhat lowers its overall appeal. However, monthly payment plans are available that will remove the advertising entirely.

There are a number of other programs available too, including GoodBarber and AppInstitute, and depending on your skill set, budget or requirements different options will suit different needs.

After Creation Is Complete

So you’ve created the greatest application in history using one of the above-mentioned tools.

Now what?

Most know that there are two major platforms on which to distribute downloadable software for mobile devices. Namely; Google Play Store, for Android and the Apple iStore for iOS. Both will require a bit of upfront cash in order to use the platform, with the Google Play Store being the cheaper option.

A $25 registration fee is required for Google Play Store, while the Apple iStore has a $99 yearly reoccurring fee. Keep in mind, though, that both platforms will take 30% of any sales you happen to make. So clearly, the Google Play Store is the smart option in most cases, although that is entirely up to you and your OS preferences.

Despite our technological advances and access to information, humanity is still heading for a world food crisis. The agricultural sector is approximately 30 years behind in development when compared to other sectors. Around the world people are starving, and roughly 11%, or 815 million of the population go to bed hungry. Scarily, this is despite the fact that the industry produces more than enough to feed us all.

The global population is only increasing and is expected to reach well over 9.8 billion people by 2050. Demand for food is expected to increase by 60%, and as industries grow and the population increases, so it becomes more difficult to produce.

Starvation is only one cost of the uneven distribution of food. Wastage makes a huge contribution to climate change, and the same population groups that struggle to feed themselves are the ones that will struggle to implement household food security plans. Climate change and soil degradation, urbanization, pollution, and natural resource scarcity are all putting even more pressure on production.

The impending crisis needs to be addressed, food needs to be evenly distributed, waste management needs to be dealt with, and consumers need to be held responsible and sustainable production methods implemented.

Changing The Way Food Is Produced

Whether it is on a local scale or a global one, how food is produced is one of the biggest contributors to climate change that needs to be addressed. Encouraging people to grow food at home using methods that are low maintenance and effective, even in small spaces, enables consumers to save money. In addition, it has been shown to improve health through better access to nutrition and exercise. Home gardeners tend to steer away from harmful chemicals, which in turn is better for the environment, and are more likely to share surplus produce than chuck it away like its store-bought counterpart.

Home grown food gardens can be scaled to include urban farms and community gardens where vegetables are used in greening projects, rather than ornamentals. All of these contribute to less waste, greater health, and a much-improved carbon footprint. Certain communities have even started to supply local restaurants too, and food is traveling shorter distances and being produced in environmentally and health conscious ways. Reducing the carbon footprint is a crucial step in going green, and even if you can’t grow food at home you can do things like playing online slots rather than at a land based casino to help make a difference.

Source: Pixabay

Opting for Greener Alternatives

On a global scale many large producers are focusing on environmentally conscious farming practices. Much more involved than just crop rotation, which is still a key component, machinery has been developed that eliminates the need to work a piece of land multiple times before planting. The machinery tills, furrows, plants and covers seed all in a single go.

Educating farmers on alternative uses for waste such as cornhusks has already started to reduce the amount of burning taking place. Many farmers practice burning as a method to get rid of waste at no expense. However, the cost to the environment is alarming, and by suggesting alternative methods this practice can be eliminated. Advanced irrigation practices and chemical application processes are all reducing the amount of water being used or getting contaminated.

These improved methods, together with research into alternative protein such as insect protein, which could reduce meat consumption and farming, are positive steps toward a sustainable future for consumers and the environment. Beef and dairy farming contribute significant amounts of methane to the environment, and use large tracts of land for grazing. By using alternatives, land can be more productively utilised and greenhouse gases reduced.

Alternatives such as 3D printing food have also been explored, and this allows for dietary requirement customisation too. Based on age, health, and sex, food can be printed to meet the needs of each individual’s nutritional requirement, supplying sufficient nutrition to each person at a price they can afford without the environmental destruction.

Whichever way the future of food unfolds, on thing is for sure, change is needed, and it is needed now.

As the world speeds forward into a new era, one factor is becoming ever more apparent; the future of the human race is one that will be bound together by the World Wide Web. There is simply no denying that the Internet and online connectivity in general, is an important part of the combined human future. As it stands, roughly 58% of the world is connected to the Internet in one form or another.

But, take a closer look at the African continent and you’ll see that Internet penetration is still considerably lagging behind. In-region online penetration sits at a much lower 35%. This means, in other words, that Africa can be considered about a decade behind the rest of the world in terms of online connectivity.

However, the rate of adoption as a whole is also vastly ahead of the rest of the world, meaning that not only is continent catching up, but it is also doing so at an incredible rate. This means that an ever-increasing number of Africans have access to everything the net has to offer, including being able to stream digital content, play online slots, or connect with others via email or on social media.

Online Adoption History

The Internet first arrived in South Africa in the 1980s, although the system installed was a closed one. This meant that although information could be shared amongst users within the network, there was not connection to the outside world. This only changed in 1993, when the first outside connection was made, officially connecting the closed online network to the rest of the world. The call was made via dial up, to France.

However, it was only in 2001 that a major Internet cable was installed, officially taking the connection to the next level. The installation of the cable boosted the number of Internet users on the continent significantly, taking overall penetration swiftly to over 5% by 2008. A big milestone, but still notably behind the rest of the world.

That 5% increased to 35% by December 2017, showing that not only is propagation rate fast, it is fast to a degree that is beyond wildest expectations.

Increasing Rates And Technology Focus

Source: Mo Ibrahim Foundation

Today, Madagascar has an average download speed of around 24.8 megabits per second. This not only makes it way ahead of every other country in Africa, but even beyond France, Germany and Portugal. A sign that nations are quickly moving to meet the challenge.

Likewise in Kenya, Nairobi boasts an average download speed of 10.1 mega bits per second, taking it beyond Israel. This is not to mention that Nairobi is now proud to call itself a city on the fast track to being smart, with online services that are no longer considered only a luxury afforded to the upper class earners in the area. Universities in the area likewise focus on educations based around the latest technology evolutions. This spells a future for Kenya firmly in the ranks of the online leaders.

A Bright Future

It’s true that Kenya, Madagascar and South Africa lead the way with online technology on the continent, showing that there is a bright future waiting on the horizon. But many other countries are still struggling to catch up, and lagging ever further behind. There is much work and effort required to bring the continent as a whole in line with the rest of the world.

However, if the steps taken by Kenya are anything to go by, as well as the astonishingly high adoption rates, it won’t be long before many countries in the area have closed the gap with European and American countries. It seems like only a matter of time, with the massive untapped potential of the region finally being fully realised and ground-breaking steps being taken by both governments and private companies to update, upgrade and implement infrastructure and bring it up to speed with the rest of the world.

I don’t tweet. Friends have said I should open a Twitter account but I have remained inanimate on the matter. Twitter registers very low on my list of priorities and while I get that one can actually catch the attention of a celebrity or someone in power, it remains an unappealing endeavour. I regard social media as a blessing and a curse. I like that we’re more connected but I dislike the fact that we actually care less. Social media has made us regard one another in a lesser light and this is because it’s made our social lives easier and the minute something gets easy, we undermine it. Look at the birthday card; once a staple of celebration and admitting that you had a genuine care for a friend, family member or colleague. Facebook has all but obliterated this once thriving industry and while everyone says something on your wall, not many really mean it. We’re sacrificing a lot in the name of the net and social media, and as it appears of late, not just our interpersonal qualities, but our livelihoods too.

Online Vigilance

I’m not sure that we’re fully comprehending the extent of our online actions. Our online footprints, while meant to create a digital map of what we like so that corporations can sell us things, can also be used for surveillance. Instagram has the right to make money from the photos you post on it without giving you a cent. The net has given us a power to wield and at the risk of sounding cheesy, with great power comes great responsibility.

In the light of the recent James Gunn incident, nothing screams online vigilance more than what has befallen this Hollywood director. Roughly 10 years ago Mr Gunn, in what appears an attempt of provocation, made some really unsavoury tweets. For those of you not in the know, James Gunn is most notable for his work with Marvel Studios and the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. Gunn was also known for his anti- Trump stance, something which has now cost him his job. Disney owns Marvel and once they got wind of these old tweet, uncovered by a staunch Trump supporter, he was fired.

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I’ve read the tweets and they are atrocious, but here’s the thing, why didn’t this information bug Disney beforehand? Only once unearthed, did the giant studio step in; the very same studio that employed Johnny Depp in light of his domestic abuse allegations by his ex-wife, Amber Heard. Gunn apologised years ago for those tasteless tweets and why should we not believe in the capacity of a human being to grow, evolve and change for the better within a span of 10 years. Should no one be given a second chance? I’m not here to defend Gunn. His tweets really are off-side and one can see why Disney’s actions were swift, but the complexity of the situation begs for revision.

Your Online Past & Your Future

James Gunn is but one example of being retroactively punished. Is punishment way after the fact applicable, especially when the person hasn’t physically done anything to anyone, and in addition has apologised? I think that what’s important to take home from all of this is that as an online user, you need to watch your step, especially in light of what you say, because once it’s out there, its digitally entrenched and if someone doesn’t like you, he or she can dig up that dirt, use it out of context to accentuate its already questionable attributes and this my dear readers can cost you your job, your livelihood and your reputation. So take care of yourself in the digital space and if you can’t think of anything good to put there, then best you keep it to yourself and then work on yourself.

You’ve probably been in your kitchen, once again forced to slave over a hot stove, and asked yourself why robot chefs have not yet been invented. The good news is that they have been created, and are already in use in a restaurant in Boston. The bad news is that they are not yet available for private use, although that is likely only a matter of time. So, don’t put down the frying pan and start relaxing just yet!

Also, if you were imagining a quirky, humanoid robot along the lines of C3PO chopping carrots, flipping pancakes and cracking jokes, you’ll be very disappointed. The so-called robot chefs in Boston aren’t very visually impressive at all, and bear about as much resemblance to C3PO as a cement mixer. In fact, the robot chefs look rather a great deal like cement mixers, which really does kill much of the excitement. The robotic systems are however a great deal more functional than impressive to look at, which is often the case when it comes to real world robotics.

On the other hand, such robotic systems in the kitchen are likely to still advance considerably, which gives hope that a C3PO style robot may yet be making an appearance in your home.

Kitchens Of The Future

But before you anticipate a C3PO kitchen robot, divert your attention instead to a pair of alarmingly human-like robot arms created by Moley Robotics. The arms are designed to be installed in a kitchen, along with the enormous bulk of complicated machinery that goes along with them. When powered up, the arms can apparently create over 2,000 meals, which is a great deal more than your average Joe equipped with a whisk and a cookbook.

The robotic cooking arms were revealed at the Hannover Messe Technology Fair, and a rather impressive demonstration showed them cooking crab bisque. According to the creators, chef Tim Anderson helped train the arms, working in a motion capture studio. After observing Anderson, the arms can then apparently recreate the movements, and imitate a five star chef as if it was no more than a stroll in the park. It all sounds very impressive, and reason for the lazy among us everywhere to anticipate all the fun things we can do, like playing blackjack online or watching TV, while a robot does the cooking.

Still Some Time To Wait

It almost sounds too good to be true, and a sceptic may start asking questions, like does the kitchen have to be laid out in a very specific way in order for the arms to operate, and do the arms know if they’ve made a mistake, and dropped a pan of hot oil on the dog? Either way, Moley Robotics said that they aim to offer the kitchen upgrade to the public in 2017, at a price of about $15,000.

Both aspects of this statement are reason for concern. The first being that it is 2018, and no kitchens yet are automated. The second being that the price is more than a little steep, and probably beyond the reach of the average middle income household. Still, there is certainly reason to believe that we may just have robotic chefs in our lifetime, even if they look more like cement mixers than a Star Wars character. The cement mixer robots in the Boston restaurant work flawlessly, even if they lack the personality that we all hope for in our robots.

So, anticipate robots in your kitchen at some point in the future, but don’t be too let down if they simply fall short of offering a true science fiction experience. At least they’ll chop carrots perfectly and whip up cordon bleu meals efficiently, and that’s more than can be said for me!

In an age where smartphones are now the accepted norm, other technology also seems to be raising its own IQ. The phrase ‘smart home’ is becoming more common, ushering us into an era where our living quarters are evolving to make our lives easier than ever before. There’s only one problem; smart homes aren’t exactly cheap.

But don’t give up your dream of having a home with lamps that turn on remotely, live dealer black jack games that stream directly to your TV and thermostats that adjust the heat at your every whim just yet. It turns out, that with a bit of ingenuity and careful buying, you can build your own smart home.

Take a look at these amazing items that will ensure a smart home for you; you won’t have to break the bank to buy them either.

Smart Plugs

Smart plugs are the first, and cheapest, step to making your home smart. They simply fit into a wall socket, and accept the plug of any electronic device. The twist? Smart plugs can be controlled via smartphone applications. This means that the electronic device you’ve plugged into the smart device can now be switched on and off via your phone. Neat, right?

Working best with coffee makers, lamps, and other such things that are best switched on at a certain time, anyone who is a little bit creative can make a whole lot of things smart, and for a price that is very reasonable.

Smart Lamps

Smart lamps do what you’d expect, more or less. Once they have connected to your home Wi-Fi, they are remotely tuneable, with a wide variety of colours available. Alternatively, they can be set to automatically change their colour and brightness over time, as you prefer.

They may cost somewhat more than an ordinary lamp, but are a step in the right direction for a home fully accessible via smartphone.

Wi-Fi Thermostat

While pricier than the other two devices above, the Wi-Fi thermostat is arguably the most essential. It does just what you would expect, allowing access to your heating via a smartphone. But once you get one and have it installed, you’ll ask yourself how you ever used to get up to adjust the temperature.

Source: Pixabay

Remote Streaming

Considering how much we rely on our smartphones, tablets and computers for multi-media functionality, it’s easy to see why this device makes it on to the list. Remote streaming devices allow for instant transmission of signals to your television, simply by fitting into an HDMI port. This means images on your phone, laptop or tablet can be watched on your television, with no fuss.

Wi-Fi Security Cameras

Also a device that many would consider essential; smart security cameras stream directly to your phone, via your Wi-Fi. This means that you can check up on home wherever you are, any time. Plus, many smart security cameras have built in motion detectors, and will connect with smart lights. This means that if the device detects movement, it can turn on any outside lights in the vicinity.

Smart Batteries

Designed to be used in smoke detectors, smart batteries will send signals to your phone, when the smoke detector is activated. So, even if you are not at home, you can be notified of potential fires at the household. The batteries can of course send the signal to multiple devices, and can also be put on snooze if you happen to be cooking up a particularly smoky storm in the kitchen.

Wi-Fi Grill Assistant

Last on the list, and perhaps a bit less essential is the Wi-Fi grill assistant. This device has a prong that is inserted into cooking food, and will send a signal to a phone when the food in question reaches a certain temperature. It is useful for those who like their steak at just the right temperature, and is the ultimate smart home tool for the avid foodie.